Camping and Backpacking GEAR thread

Anyone have any experience with this tent/brand? Considering it given the savings.

I've used my Alps Mountaineering Marauder in winter and it's been fine so far but haven't had heavy snow or winds. Thinking this would be more appropriate.

http://www.sierratradingpost.com/fe...=PCGOOGLES6&currency=USD&codes-processed=true

 

What's an EE quilt and what's the weight?

 

http://www.enlightenedequipment.com/quilts/

 

A 20° Revelation is my next bag/quilt purchase.

 

Still have my JRB UQ for Hennessy hammocks for sale....

I know one of you needs this!

 

What size is this UQ 3/4 or full? What fill?

 

Full length. I honestly don't know the fill. (I regularly use it down to the low 30's)

Only asking $100 includes shipping to CONUS.

 

Dang that's a good deal. If you still have it after Christmas I very well could be interested.

 

Marmot Trestles 20 Elite. Its an REI exclusive. The women's bag is ugly imo buy my gf got it because you can't beat the specs for the price.

 

Don't get the cats meow. It's design with long wide baffles makes it very hard to warm up and retain heat. You get cold spots and it is a very inefficient design. Despite the reviews, is a terrible bag

 

My wife loves her Cat's Meow. Granted we have only used it down to about 50. The fleece foot box is nice, plus there is a fleece lined hand pouch as well. It's done everything that she has asked of it (though it hasn't been much).

 

Anyone have experience with the mountain hardwear ratio 15? I'm thinking of getting one.

 

Yeah that small zipper is amazing!! Makes me want to get one for myself. The elite is brand new. Its much lighter but goes up to 20 instead of 15

 

It's q great bag don't get me wrong, but I've just heard alot that it doesn't retain heat with its design and gets cold spots easily when using in lower Temps that it's rated for. The hand pouch is cool though

 

Ok so with backpacking aside, i am reevaluating my car camping setup. Currently using a CVT RTT, but for a number of reasons, i am going back to a ground tent. I refuse however to use an air mattress because they are terrible. Im not too concerned with cost as long as i have a great comfortable night sleep. I was initially set on getting 2 EXPED 10s and them together. At $220 each, get have astounding reviews and i have no doubt I'd sleep comfortably. My concerns are that A: I'm still ultimately on the ground B: they still inflate and i have dogs that risk popping them C: they seem a bit annoying to inflate and deflate and D: at almost 30 yo, in getting to old to be on the floor lol.

So, with that in mind, i have been researching cots and am really really liking the Teton Universal with the 2.5" open cell foam pad that goes with it. I have never slept on a cot and am skeptical of how comfortable they are. Space and weight aren't an issue, i just want the best dam night sleep i can get. A cot and pad also eliminate pumps, worrying about dogs popping pads, losing air at night, and they are super easy and quick setup.

Any feedback on the products i mentioned, or general wisdom in terms of car camping options?

 

Yeah i know the air under the cot is an issue. Ill compensate by adding their foam pad on top of the cot and i have a nice down mummy bag and planty of blankets too. Plus ill ba able to run a heater all night in my gorund tent so i dont think cold will be an issue. My primary concern is purely comfort, then dog friendly and ease of use.

I love the RTT and my setup, but the type of camping i do never involves setting up camp and chillin for a day. I always need my vehicle and im always on the go. A rtt is easy to break down and set up, but when you add 2 dogs into the mix and a girlfriend who insists on bringing every single freaking thing into the tent with her then putting it away the next morning becomes a 30 minute chore of emptying the tent so itll close right instead of quick break down. Midnight pee breaks for the dogsare also a major pita when you have to climb down a cold ladder in the dark, find shoes, carry dogs down, walk them, and go back up... just not ideal to repeat this process daily and takes the fun out of camping for me. Its comfortable and is an amazinf setup, but just doesnt suite the needs how my camping style

 

Oh and also since im getting into backpacking i want a shell to help with secure dry storage at base camp while i set out on foot for a few day. I have an arb fridge, onboard water, solar, and all the other perks i would ever need, its time for a camper shell for my needs as well

 

Anyone have experience with both the msr windburner and jetboil mino or any jetboil?

I'm thinking of maybe getting the windburner but it's a little more pricier.